What if I have suggestions or recommendations?

What if I have more questions?

WHY DO WE HAVE STANDARDS NOW?

To make the most efficient use of university resources, all desktop and laptop computers acquired by the university should be based on standard configurations approved by the Information Technology Governance Committee.   Departments with needs not met by the standard configurations can request a variance in writing to Information Technology.  Information Technology will then conduct a review of the specifications and make suggestions to the department.  If a consensus is not reached, an appeal will be reviewed by the PC Standards Committee.

WHEN DID THIS BECOME EFFECTIVE? 

The standards became effective April 1, 2002.

HOW ARE THE STANDARDS DETERMINED?

Hardware: The PC Standards Committee will meet quarterly to review changes in technology.  Consideration will be taken to configure quality desktop and laptop computers and laserjet printers that meet the vast majority of computing needs at the lowest possible cost to the university.  Standard configuration upgrades will be included to give flexibility to the configurations and allow additional uses. OIT will make recommendations for the university standard configurations.  These recommendations will be presented for approval to the PC Standards Committee.  Once approved, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) will be charged with installing and supporting these hardware platforms.

Software: The PC Standards Committee will also review software technology and recommend a basic software image to be installed on each of the configurations.  OIT will be charged with installing and supporting these software applications on all desktops and laptops. 

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT THE STANDARDS ARE?

OIT will be responsible for publicizing the standard configurations via configuration information on their web site. Whenever possible, OIT will have a demonstration unit available for review by interested faculty and staff.

WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW WHAT I NEED OR WANT?

The User Services Group of OIT will be made available for appointments to assist in the configuration of desktop or laptop computers.  Faculty and staff can call (9-4OIT) or email (oithelp@etsu.edu) the OIT Help Desk to make this request.  An analyst will schedule a time to visit the employee’s office and discuss their computing needs and configuration options.

HOW DO I REQUEST A LEASE OR PURCHASE FOR A STANDARD?

All computer requisitions for desktops, laptops, and printers will be submitted through the eBucs electronic procurement system.

WHAT IF IT ISN’T A STANDARD?

The department will complete and attach a variance request to the electronic requisition for non-standard desktops, laptops and printers. This should explain why the university standard configuration is not appropriate for their needs.  This can be the result of incompatibilities of required software or hardware or a vendor requirement.  This requisition and request for variance will be reviewed by the appropriate OIT staff.  If there is not significant justification for the variance, the requisition will be rejected and information for an alternative will be provided to the department.  (Financial aspects are not considered adequate justification). At that point, the department should consider the university standard or they can consider an appeal of the variance request.

HOW DO I FILE A REQUEST FOR AN APPEAL IF MY VARIANCE ISN’T APPROVED?

If a department feels their request for variance was rejected without consideration, they can initiate an appeal.  These requests for appeal will be reviewed by the PC Standards Committee on a timely basis.  The committee will report their recommendation to the department and to OIT.  Non-approved requests will be rejected in eBucs. Records will be kept of variances that were permitted.  These will be used as consideration in adopting new standard configurations.

WHAT IF I HAVE SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS?

The PC Standards Committee will be glad to review your suggestions or recommendations at their regular meetings.  Please contact one of the committee members with your information. 

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

If you have unanswered questions, please feel free to contact the OIT Help Desk at oithelp@mail.etsu.edu, or call 9-4OIT.